Magazine and feed means for stapling machines



Sept. 19, 1950 F. R. cum-lss 2,522,931

MAGAZINE `ND FEED MEANS FOR STAPLING MACHINES Filed May 19 1949 37./ l,'W5 5 ,49 few :n311/@Juv 111/ 1 35 I5/.3, :q/lu

IN VEN TOR.

"FRANK'. URTISS BY I 5 WMZ ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 19, 1950 MAGAZINE ANDFEED MEANS FOR STAPLIN G MACHINES Frank R. Curtiss, New Haven, Conn.

Original application October 12, 1946, Serial No. 702.958. Divided andthis application May 19, 1949, Serial No. 94,063

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in staple drivingmachines.

Objects of the invention are to provide a staple driving machine ofsimple and rugged construction and to provide one wherein the loading ofthe machine with staples is made relatively easy.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent froma consideration of the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein a satisfactoryembodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includesall such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of the staple driving machine of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the plane of the line 3 3 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a front end elevational view of the machine with parts brokenaway; and

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the follower employed in the machine.

`The present application is a division of my application Serial Number702,958 filed October l2, 1946.

Referring in detail to the drawing, my improved staple feeding andstaple driving means, as therein disclosed, is generally designated Il).Such means comprises flat inner and outer side plates II and l2 securedtogether by pins or rivets I3 and held in spaced parallel relation bymeans of spacers I4 located on such pins or rivets between such sideplates. Between the lower edges of the plates II and l2 is a rail I5secured in place and to the plates by rivets or screws I6. This railextends to a point adjacent a forward wall Il of the means Ill, whichforward wall is formed by turning in or toward one another the forwardend portions of the plates II and I2. The lower rear portions of suchplates are cut away whereby the rear end portion of the staple rail I5is exposed, as clearly shown in Figs. l and 3.

In the drawing, a series of staples I8 are shown as straddling the railI5. Also, straddling said rail, but in the rear of such staples, andconstantly urging them toward the front end of the rail is a follower I9including an upwardly extending block. portion or web-lil e portion4'All located between the mentioned side plates. A finger piece ilincludes is rigid with a stem 22 2 I I passing through aligned slots 23in theside plates I l and I2 and rigidly connected with the block or web29. Obviously, the finger piece is movable with the follower I9 orconversely suchfollower is movable with said finger piece.

A staple and follower guide 9 is located between the side plates I I andI2 in parallel slightly spaced relation to the upper side of the railI5. Such guide is spaced above the rail a distance substantially equalto the diameter of a staple crownor the thickness of the stock of thebight portion of the follower body and comprises a pair of bars l and ssecured to the respective side plates by rivets or the like t. The barsare in spaced parallel relation and have their forward ends flushv withthe forward end of the rail I5 and their rear ends are curved as atEand'stop considerably short of the rear end of the rail. In the forwardpositions of the follower I5, the block or web `2l) extends between thebars t and 'l ofthe guide 9 and that is the reason the guide is made upof the two spaced bars. I

Attention is directed to the fact that the slots 23 include straightportions 2li which are parallel with the upper surface of the rail I5and the slots further include rear upwardly curved portions 25. When thestaples I8 are to be loaded onto the rail i 5, the finger piece 2! isused to slide the follower rearwardly and in such case the stem 22 issimply moved rearwardly and then slides upwardly in the curved portion25 of the slot to carry the follower to an out-of-the-way position.

In the mentioned out-of-the-way position, the -follower is entirelyclear of the rail and is located as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3.There it y will be noted that the stem 22 of the finger piece is locatedin a lateral extension 2t of the curved portion 25 of the slot and thatthe upwardly eX- tending block or web portion 20 of the follower has itscurved edge portion 2'! about a spacer I4.

As the follower is being so lifted there is a tendency for it to turn ina clock-wise direction with the stem 22 as a fulcrum. However, theoperator in shifting the follower has a hold on the finger piece 2l andrestrains the follower against such ment of the stem 22 in the lateralextension or enlargement 26 of the slot portion 25 and engagement of thesurface or edge 2l of part 20 with one spacer I4. Thus, the follower isentirely clear of the rail I5 and it is again mentioned that the rearend portion of said rail is exposed below the rear portions of the sidewalls or plates II and I2. A long coil spring 28 through its pull on thefollower maintains the latter in the described position, holding it inengagement with the mentioned spacer and with stem 22 in the off-set 26.

It is noted that the follower is of considerabley length whereby toinsure feeding of the last staple from the rail I5. Therefore, it isdesirable that the follower be maintained in the horizontal positionshown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3 when staples are to be placed on therail. If the follower is permitted to tilt, its free end Portion willswing down toward the rail and interfere with a staple loadingoperation.

The long coil spring 28 is anchored at one end to a pin 28a extendingbetween the upper rear portions of the-side plates II and I2 and has itsother end connectedwith the extension 29 of the follower at 29. Asuitable guide roller 39 is provided for the coil spring whereby itextends from theconnection 28a forwardly between the plates II; and I2over the guide roller 39 and then rearwardly to its connection with theextension or web 20. With this construction, it will be understood thatthe spring 28 is constantly urging the follower forwardlyalong such railI5.

The place 29 of the attachment or connection of the spring to thefollower is offset from the axis of the stern 22 of the finger piece 2|,being forwardly of and above such stem. Thus, the spring 28 tends torock the follower in a clockwise direction about the axis of the stem22, or in a direction to engage the forward end of the follower with thetop of the rail I5. This tendency is resisted by engagement of thecurved edge 2l of web 2D with the spacer I/l when the follower is in theout-of-the-way position. shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3.

When staples have been loaded onto the rail I5, the operator then graspsthe finger piece 2l and turns the same, and thus the entire follower I9,in a counter clockwise direction rolling the stem 22 out of the notch 26and shifting the curved rf edge 21 of the web 20 from the separator It.The operator retains hold on the linger piece and lowers the follower.At this time, the spring 28 is pullingon the follower and if the latteris released willsnap it `into place on the rail. However, as theoperator keeps control he permits the stem 22 to move down through thecurved portion 25 ofslot 23 and at this time the follower tilts, rockingin a clockwise direction.

As. the lowering or return movement of the follower continues, theforward lowermost edge of the follower engages the rail I5 justrearwardly of the guide 9 and slides under the curved rear end 5 of thelatter as the lowering ,Or return movement continues. This insuresreturn of the follower to its proper position where it is held inposition on the rail I5 by the guide 9, the latter serving to restrainboth the follower and the staples I8 against upward movement off saidrail.

In the forward end portion of the housing formed by the plates II and I2is a vertically reciprocable plunger 3l normally heldl in elevatedposition by a coil spring 32 and carrying a platelike driver 33. When.the plunger 3l and the driver 33 are yin raised or normal position as inff. O

Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the forwardmost staple I8 from the rail I5 is movedinto the raceway under the driver 33 by the urging of the spring 28acting through the follower I9. Then, the next time the plunger isdepressed the driver drives or forces such staple down through theraceway and out of the lower end thereof for use as will later appear.On the plunger 3I being vthereafter released, the spring 32 raises itand the driver 33 upwardly lclearing the raceway whereby the next stapleI8 on the guide bar may move into the raceway.

While .the plunger 3| may be operated in any suitable manner, it is hereshown as provided at its upper end with a knob or button-like hand piece34 which may be struck by the palm of the hand or on which the palm ofthe hand may be .placed fora slow steady push-like depression of theplunger. A staple driven by the plunger may simply pass through anaddress tag or card or the like to staple it to a container or thestaple may be driven through papers or the like and then clinched tosecure such papers or the like together. l In the latter instance, thepapers or the like tobe stapled together are placed on an anvil block 35located on the upper side of the forward end portion of a base member35, which latter at its rear includes a post-like vertical portion 31entering into a notch 38 in the guide bar I5 and therein secured as on apivot 39.

With this construction, it will be clear that the mounting of the 'baseleaves the sides and top of the guide bar in their normal condition andthat the base is mounted for pivotal movement to carry the anvil block35 away from the housing of the f staple driver or the staple driver maybe rocked on the pivot 39 to carry the lower end of its raceway awayfrom the anvil block 35. The anvil block may be of any or the usualconstruction to provide for the clinching of the staple wherebypermanent fastening results or it may spread the legs of the staple to`provide a pin-like temporary securing means.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

l. In a staple applying implement, a pair of flat plates, meansconnecting and maintaining said plates in spaced parallel relation, saidplates including depending extensions located toward theirforward endsand stopping short of their rear ends, a staple rail between saidextensions, a follower on said rail for urging staples there along, saidrail of a length whereby at its rearward end it projects beyond saidplate extensions andis exposed below the lower edges of the rearwardportionsof said plates for ease in mounting staples and said followerthereon.

2. In a staple applying implement, a pair of flat plates, kmeansconnecting and maintaining said plates in spaced parallel relation, astaple guide rail between the lower portion of said plates, a followeron said rail for urging staples therealong, one of saidlplates having aslot therein including a portion in spaced parallel relation with saidrail and a rear upwardly curved portion, a

finger piece connected with said follower and passing through said slotfor use inretracting the follower and shifting the same rearwardly offthe rail, a rigid means between said plates and spaced .upwardly withrespect to said rail, and an extension on said follower to engage Saidrigid means when said linger piece is at the upper end of the curvedportion of said slot whereby to support the follower in position spacedfrom said rail.

3. In .a staple applying implement, a pair of flat plates, meansconnecting and maintaining said pl-ates in spaced parallel relation, astaple guide rail between the lower portions of said plates, a followeron said rail for urging staples therealong, said rail at its rearwardend exposed below the lower edges of the plates for ease in mountingstaples and said follower thereon, one of said plates having a slottherein including a portion in spaced ,parallel relation with said railand a rear upwardly curved portion, a finger piece connected with saidfollower and passing through said slot for use in retracting thefollower and shifting the same rearwardly and upwardly off the rail, arigid means between said plates and spaced upwardly with respect to saidlbar, and an extension on said follower to engage said rigid means whensaid linger piece is at the upper end of said curved portion of saidslot whereby to support the follower in a ,position spaced from therail.

4. In a staple applying implement, a pair of fiat plates, meansconnecting and maintaining said plates in spaced parallel relation, astaple guide rail between the lower portions of said plates, a followeron said rail for urging staples therealong, a guide between said platestoward the forward end portions thereof, a long coil spring connected atone end to said follower carried about said guide and anchored at itsother end, one of said plates having a slot therein including a portionin spaced parallel relation with said rail and a rear upwardly curvedportion, a finger piece connected `with said follower and passingthrough said slot for use in retracting the follower and shifting thesame rearwardly off the rail, a rigid means between said plates andspaced upwardly with respect to said bar, and an extension on saidfollower to engage said rigid means when said finger piece is at theupper end of the curved portion of said slot whereby to support thefollower in position spaced from said rail.

5. In a staple applying implement, la pair of flat plates, meansconnecting and maintaining said plates in spaced parallel relation, astaple guide rail between the lower portions of said plates, a followeron said rail for urging staples therealong, a guide between said platestoward the forward end portions thereof, a long coil spring connected atone end to said follower carried about said guide and anchored at itsother end, f

one of said plates having a slot therein including a portion in spaced,parallel relation with said rail and a rear upwardly curved portion, afinger piece connected with said follower and passing through said slotf-or use in shifting the follower rearwardly along the rail and thenupwardly olf the same as said finger piece is shifted rearwardly andthen upwardly in said slot, a rigid means between said plates and spacedupwardly with respect to the upper end of the curved portion of saidslot, said slot having a lateral notch at its upper end to receive aportion of said finger piece when the same is shifted to the upper endof said slot, an extension on the upper side of said follower to engagesaid rigid means when said finger piece is at the upper end of thecurved portion of said slot, and a coil spring connected at one end withsaid follower in offset relation to said finger piece and extendingforwardly of said follower when the same is in said upper position toretain the same in said upper position with said portion of the fingerpiece in said notch and said extension against said rigid means.

6. The device as in claim 5 wherein said finger piece is rigid with saidfollower and said portion of said finger piece comprises a transverselyround stem.

7. The staple applying implement as in claim 5 including a staple andfollower guide above and parallel with the forward portion of saidstaple guide rail, said guide having a curved rear end portion stoppingshort of the rear end of said staple guide rail and located to have saidfollower enter thereunder as the follower tilts in aclockwise directionand said linger portion moves downwardly in the curved portion of saidslot as the follower is being returned to position on said staple guiderail.

8. The staple applying implement as in claim 5 including a staple andfollower guide above and parallel with the forward portion of saidstaple guide rail, said guide having a curved rear end portion stoppingshort of the rear end of said staple guide rail and located to have saidfollower enter thereunder as the follower tilts .in a clockwisedirection and said finger portion moves downwardly in the curved portionof said slot as the follower is being returned to position on saidstaple guide rail, and said staple and follower guide longitudinallydivided whereby said follower extension may enter the same as thefollower moves along said staple guide rail.

9. In a staple applying implement, a pair of spaced side plates, saidplates toward their forward ends having downwardly directed extensionsand having the edge portions of said extensions inturned intosubstantially abutting relation, spaced rivets passing through the upperportions of said plates, spacers on said rivets between said plates andagainst which the rivets are clamping the plates whereby the latter aresecured together in spaced parallel relation, a staple guide railbetween the extensions of said plates, means securing said guide railagainst the inturned edge portions of said extensions with the sides ofsaid guide rail in spaced relation to said plates and with said guiderail extending beyond the rear edges of said extensions, and means tofeed staples along said guide rail.

FRANK R. CURTISS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNrrED STATES PA'I'ENTS Number Name Date 1,244,695 Blumenthal Oct. 30,1917 1,599,774 Kuch Sept. 14, 1926 2,042,958 Pankonin June 2, 19362,150,332 Maynard Mar. 14, 1939 2,298,123 Harred Oct. 6, 1942 2,312,142Abrams Feb. 23, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 561,308 GermanyOct. 13, 1932

